NWF State concludes 50th celebration

Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 02:37 PM.

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College came full circle Tuesday in its more than year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

The event concluded Tuesday afternoon one day before classes started in the 2014 fall semester and exactly 50 years after the first classes were held at the school.

“It’s been a good year,” said NWF State President Ty Handy. “And we’re starting our second 50 years now.”

The half-century celebration kicked off on the day the Florida Legislature approved the creation of the college and unveiled its Doolittle Raiders Exhibit, to honor those who inspired the school’s mascot with their heroic mission during World War II.

Now the college is looking ahead and beginning plans for the next milestone. By the time the college reaches the century mark, Handy predicts it will see a cultural shift as technology changes where and how students earn their degrees.

“I think in the next 50 years, you won’t see as many grand structures being built,” he said. “...What you’re going to find is a very spread-out college... in every home in the community.”

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College came full circle Tuesday in its more than year-long 50th anniversary celebration.

The event concluded Tuesday afternoon one day before classes started in the 2014 fall semester and exactly 50 years after the first classes were held at the school.

“It’s been a good year,” said NWF State President Ty Handy. “And we’re starting our second 50 years now.”

The half-century celebration kicked off on the day the Florida Legislature approved the creation of the college and unveiled its Doolittle Raiders Exhibit, to honor those who inspired the school’s mascot with their heroic mission during World War II.

Now the college is looking ahead and beginning plans for the next milestone. By the time the college reaches the century mark, Handy predicts it will see a cultural shift as technology changes where and how students earn their degrees.

“I think in the next 50 years, you won’t see as many grand structures being built,” he said. “...What you’re going to find is a very spread-out college... in every home in the community.”